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When French playwright Pierre Corneille wrote El Cid, a fanciful version of the life of 11th-century Spanish hero Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar, aka "El Cid", an attempt was made to honor the "classic unities" and to compress the whole story into a single day! Be assured that the 1961 film version of El Cid is more faithful to the actual chronology. Charlton Heston adds one more character to his gallery of historical portrayals as El Cid, the disgraced Spanish knight who rids his country of its Moorish conquerors. The triumphs of ...
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When French playwright Pierre Corneille wrote El Cid, a fanciful version of the life of 11th-century Spanish hero Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar, aka "El Cid", an attempt was made to honor the "classic unities" and to compress the whole story into a single day! Be assured that the 1961 film version of El Cid is more faithful to the actual chronology. Charlton Heston adds one more character to his gallery of historical portrayals as El Cid, the disgraced Spanish knight who rids his country of its Moorish conquerors. The triumphs of El Cid's military life are not matched by his private affairs; he is betrayed by his bride Chimene (Sophia Loren) and is made a political pawn by the avaricious Spanish landowners. El Cid has a climax unique in the annals of movie epics: the final assault against the landgrabbers is led by a dead hero. El Cid established the short but generally profitable reign of producer Samuel Bronston as the King of the Epics; his imprint on the film is much stronger than that of director Anthony Mann. Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, Raf Vallone, Gary Raymond, Ralph Truman, John Fraser. Very good in very good packaging. 2 tapes. Language: English. Run time: 184 mins. Originally released: 1961. Tape has been played only once or twice, slight shelf wear to sleeve.

Used-Good. Used-Good. Fast delivery with shipping on the same day from our UK warehouse. A fantastic item in good or better condition. Other items in our Alibris store include books, CDs, DVDs and games.

Gary Raymond, Geneviève Page, Herbert Lom, Michael Hordern, Hurd Hatfield, Carlo Giustini, Barbara Everest, Andrew... 1961 Run time: 188. Ships Same or Next business day from NJ, USA with Tracking. Artwork, case & disc(s) included and in Very Good condition. Used discs may not include digital content (if applicable). 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee.

Raf Vallone, Sophia Loren, Charlton Heston. Good. 1961 Run time: 188. Connecting viewers with great movies since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Used discs may not include digital copies. Customer service is our top priority!

Raf Vallone, Sophia Loren, Charlton Heston. Good. 1961 Run time: 188. Connecting viewers with great movies since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Used discs may not include digital copies. Customer service is our top priority!

Good. Item may show signs of shelf wear. Booklets may include limited notes and highlighting. Includes supplemental or companion materials if applicable. Access codes may or may not work. Connecting listeners since 1972. Customer service is our top priority.

Customer Reviews

Epic Movie Masterpiece

If you love Epic movies which can keep you occupied three hours or more with lots of popcorn and soft drinks, this movie is IT. This dazzling spectacle with a cast of zillions, will give a glimpse of Spain and will fulfill your idea of what a real sword & armour movie ought to be. Enjoy and savour several times over the years !

Urbanprairiemaid

Aug 20, 2009

Having loved this film since I first saw it as a single 20-year-old in 1962, it is particularly satisfying to have my very own copy of it at last. Altho' I'm not a Charlton Heston fan particularly, I am so impressed with the Art Direction and historically-perfect Costuming here -- in fact, the production values overall. They are superb! Most of all, the remarkable score by Miklos Rosza (sp?) is my favorite among all of the films I have ever seen. It is beyond glorious. +++ The story tells of an extraordinary man, almost too virtuous, too heroic, and very much stricken by Love, who must somehow conquer two great evils, and the very original methods by which he succeeds. Whether or not the story is a true one, the various portrayals of every major character are timeless and completely credible, in spite of the eleventh-century setting. Thus my five-star rating. The only thing one might change is the choice of actor who portrays "Chimene's" father, as there is no way a fellow who looks like him could produce a child who looks like HER! +++